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I want to attach a shelf to a coffee table by cutting dados into the inner corner of each leg and then nipping off the four corners of the shelf to fit the dados. (I also plan to pin each joint with a dowel.)
I’ve got two questions:
1) Are there any tricks to properly fitting the joints where the corners of the shelf meet the dados? It seems to me that this is going to be harder than it seems. For example, if the frame of the table (legs joined to rails by mortise-and-tenon joints) is even slightly out of square, then the shelf won’t fit the dados snuggly at all four corners, especially if I nip off the corners of the shelf at a standardized 45 degrees. (I cut the mortises and tenons by hand, and am something of a beginner, so I wouldn’t be surprised if things are at least 1/16 out of wack across the length of the table.)
2) What happens when the wood of the shelf expands and contracts over time? The shelf if fairly large (@ 20″ x 36″). I’m worried that any expansion and contraction of the shelf will tourque the four legs and gradually loosen the upper joints where the legs are joined to the rails.
Any tips or insights would be appreciated. Thanks.
–Ben
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Ben,
I have had a hall table sitting on my bench for two day's, and have the same questions you do. I walk by and look at it, think of how "easy" it should be to cut the dados in the leg, nip the corners off the shelf, and be able to continue on the project!
After spending so much time, getting it to where it is now, "what if" starts entering my mind a lot.
Can it be as easy as it seems? "what if"!!
I hope someone has an answer to your question!
It would be comforting to know any tips, tricks,what NOT to do etc.
Good Luck, Dennis
*Dennis, Ben,I've had my eye on this post since it went up, and was really hoping that someone more talented than I would jump in and I wouldn't have to make a stab at it. Take this free advice for what it's worth.I tried looking through Joyce's book and the best I could find was a photo of a piece where the shelf is not directly connected to the legs. The ends of the shelf are held (perhaps in a breadboard fashion) in a rail which is then fixed to the legs. This lets the shelf move without moving the legs. If this doesn't make sense, let me know and I'll try to scan the photo.Scott
*Scott, Thank you for the idea! I think I will take that route. I was building from a picture in a magazine, I am sure there shelf is made of veneer. I think I would rather play it safe, and leave room for expansion/contraction.Thanks again, Dennis
*My wife has an antique plant stand with a similar, if smaller, situation. The guy who built this used a metal screw eye in each leg for the shelf to sit on, with a screw up into the shelf. Not what I would call elegant joinery, but we've owned this thing for about 20 years and I never noticed it until now, so it's not exactly noticeable either. Makes me think the old guys knew the limitations of their tools, adhesives, etc. They also knew that wood always moves.
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